Lamp mounting



March 11, 1958 R. N. FALGE LAMP MOUNTING I Filed Sept. 8, 1955 INVENTORFairy Uite . L MOUNTING Robert N. Falge, Anderson, ind, assignor toGeneral Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a or Delaware ApplicationSeptember 8, 1953, Serial No. 37%,fi9 i 10 (Ilaims. (Cl. Mu -41.5)

ing disclosed in the patent to Mead et al., 2,266,329, .1

wherein a sealed beam lighting unit is positioned in a sphericallyshaped mounting ring by means of a retaining ring seated on the frontperipheral edge of the lens and bolted to the mounting ring thus forminga ball type subassembly. The subassembly is adjustably secured in asocket like lamp housing by means of a combination of springs andadjusting screws acting between the lamp housing and the mounting ring.

The necessity for providing a plurality of mounting ears both on theretaining ring and on the mounting ring resulted in a relativelyexpensive assembly due to cost of materials and the necessity forspecial fabrieating operations. For example, the retaining ring had tobe formed from a doughnut or continuous blank. The necessity forassembiing the retaining ring to the mounting ring required the use ofpower drivers and the complete installation of two screws before thethird screw could be started, at which point the retaining ring tendedto become misaligned making it very difficult to assemble the thirdscrew. Further, in order to compensate for the w variations in stack-upof the several components, the present retaining ring has three slits inits side located equally around it above the turned out mounting ears.This not only necessitates further operations in the production cyclebut also results in the ring having a tendency to flare out over theadjustment screw heads thus making it difiicult to adjust the headlamp.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide an improvedheadlamp mounting which is both rugged and inexpensive to manufacture.

it is a further object of my invention to provide an improved headlampmounting which is both simply adjustable from the front of the unit andsimply and easily assembled and disassembled.

To attain these objects, I have provided a headlamp assembly in whichthe ball type lighting assembly is attached to the socket type lamphousing through ad justing means connecting the retaining ring to thelamp housing.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfromthe following description, reference being bad to the accompanyingdrawing wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearlyshown.

In the drawing:

parts broken away and taken in line 1-4 of Fig. 2.

Figure 2 is a front view of my lamp assembly with parts broken away.

Figure 3 is a rear view of my lamp assembly with parts broken away andtaken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Figure 1, there isshown a lighting unit Mill consisting of a lens rill, reflector 31m andbulb ltilb. The lighting unit shown in my preferred embodiment is of theall glass sealed beam type having a bead 104 formed at the peripheraledge of the lens and reflector at the plane of junction. it should ofcourse be understood that a lighting unit of the sealed beam type havinga metallic reflector or any other suitable lighting unit may be usedwith the mounting of my invention.

The head 1% is provided with unequally spaced locating lugs 114 whichserve to so orient the lighting unit as to properly locate the lamp inits assembled position with respect to the vehicle.

Bulb 103 is provided with terminals ill to which current is suppliedthrough a suitable connector and wires.

A lamp support 4b is provided which may be either the conventional lampmounting bracket or the fender or body panel forming the aperture inwhich the lamp assembly is mounted.

A cup-shaped lamp body Fill, formed by casting, stamping or molding, isfitted in the opening in the lamp support and is secured to the supportby any suitable means such as by welding, bolting, etc.

The body lb consists of, as best shown in Figure l, a central cup-shapedportion having a rolled brim l3 surrounded by an annular channel 15 onthe outer periphery of which is formed the flange ll. Brackets iii) aresecured within the channel 15 at one side of and at the top of thechannel, and are provided with threaded nuts 16 at the outer ends forreceiving adjusting screws 17.

Within the body lb there is seated a mounting ring 12 comprising astamping having a substantially spherically formed surface whichcooperates with the body 10 to provide a universal joint. Mounting ring12 is provided with spaced outwardly pressed ribs flf. which rest uponthe rolled brim 13 of the body lil, thus providing the universal balland socket joint. it should be noted that the bearing surfaces 21 may beprovided by other convenient means such as a plurality of generallyspherically contoured lands attached to the outer surface of themounting ring by such means as welding or brazing. It should be notedthat the contacting surface between the ball and socket members is keptto a minimum by the specific structure disclosed.

The mounting ring 12. is provided with an irregular radial peripheralflange 19 which is provided with a plurality of unequally spaced slotsid for receiving 10- eating lugs 11 provided on the lamp bead Twoadditional slots 24 and 2.6 are provided on the lower portion of theflange. Slot cooperates with a supporting bracket 28 attached toretaining ring 3%. Slot 26 cooperates with joining plate 32;.

Particular attention is here directed to the fact that I am able toaccomplish a great saving in material and simplification of formingoperation in that by my invention i am able to omit the return axialbend of the flange 19 and the plurality of lateral ears formed at theedge thereof, as is presently used in the art. Thus, I am able to employa blank of much smaller size for the mounting ring.

Within the channel lb", at the bottom and at the side generally oppositethe adjusting screws 17, there is secured a rivet .34 which serves as ananchor for the yield- Figure 1 IS a side view of my lamp assembly withable attaching means, coil spring lid or any other suitable resilientmember. The other end of the spring is removably hooked in an apertureprovided in the retaining ring 38. i

The lighting unit 100 is seated within the mounting ring 12 with thelugs llld seated in the locating slots 14 in the periphery of the ring.Spacer steps 3116 provided on the rear surface of the bead litiladjacent the locating lugs serve to hold the lighting unit spaced fromthe periphery of the stamping 12 thereby giving three point support andpermitting the lighting unit to readily find its seat.

The lighting unit llhti is held in place means retaining ring 325 whichoverlaps the front edge of the unit as is clearly shown on Figure 1.Ring 34; is attached directly to the lamp body lit by means of adjustingscrews 17 and spring 155. A pair of connecting lugs 32- tached to thetopand one side, the inside surface as s own in Figure 1, of ring 33 andare slotted to engage groo 171 formed on the shank of adjusting screws17, is best shown in Figure l. A hole is provided at the side of theretaining ring opposite lugs 42, to enable spring 18 to be hookedthereto. The pressure exerted by the spring and opposed by the adjustingscrews acts to clamp the iighting unit and its ball type mounting ring12 between the retaining ring 33 and the lamp body llti. it should benoted that the lighting unit, mounting ring and retaining ringconstitute a subassembly in the headlamp of my invention as is moreparticularly described hereinafter.

A supporting bracket 28 is fastened to the inner surface of theretaining ring 38 at the rear edge thereof and in such position as to bealigned with slot in flange 1 of the mounting ring. A forwardlyprojecting tang 29 is provided on the bracket and projects into slot 24thus locating the retaining ring with respect to the mounting ring andlighting unit. The radially projecting portions 31 of the bracket 28serve to support the mounting ring within the retaining ring. In thisrespect, it should be noted that the inside diameter of the retainingring is such that a loose sliding friction fit is obtained between theretaining ring and the mounting ring. As is clearly shown in Figure 1,the diameter of the flange 19 is substantially equal to the insidediameter of the ring 33 and the ends of the connecting lugs or bracketand the projecting portions 31 serve as stops to support removablyretain the mounting ring 12 within the retainin ring to form asubassembly with the lighting unit. In this manner, the subassemblyabove identified may be handled for installation and removal without theseparation of the several components.

By reason of the fact that l have eliminated the turned out ears andfastening screws on the retaining ring i am able to make the ring fromstrip stock with a weld or other suitable joint rather than from thepresent doughnut blank. in this manner I am able to accomplish a furthersaving in both material and operation cost.

As best shown in Figure 3, retaining ring is secured with its ends inabutment by spot welding the two ends to a joining plate 32 on the innersurface of the ring. A slot 26 is formed on flange in alignment withplate 32 so as to enable easy assembly of the retaining ring over themounting ring 12.

Bezel 5'7 is provided at the top with a tang engaging an alignedaperture in the flange ill of body it? and is provided at its lower endwith a fastener 23 having threaded engagement with stamping 55 rivetedor other wise fixed to the outer radial flange of the body The outerperiphery of the bezel 47 engages support thus making a neat joint.

Bezel 47 has its inner edge iii-turned to form a channel in which arubber sealing gasket 61 is secured. The elongated sealing end So of thegasket is in contact with ring 38.

With the parts assembled as shown, it is apparent that adjustment of theaim of the lamp is accomplished by first removing the bezel 47 byunscrewing fastener 23. Thereafter the vertical aim may be adjusted byturning the top aiming screw 17 and the horizontal aim may be ad justedby turning the side adjusting screw 17. Such adjustment is opposed bythe spring 18 which continually urges the ball shaped stamping 12 intoits socket mem ber iii.

If it is desired to replace the lighting unit it is merely necessary tounhook spring 13 from ring 38 and slide the lighting unit subassemblydownwardly and outwardly from the adjusting screws 17. The lighting unitis then removed from the mounting ring by merely pressing the top of theretaining ring 38 from over the head We and peripheral edge of flange19. Attention is directed to the simplicity of this procedure in that itis no longer necessary to remove a plurality of screws, presently usedto connect the retaining ring to the mounting ring, it being merelynecessary to unhook spring 18.

It is apparent that the reverse procedure is used in assembling theheadlamp of my invention.

Various other modifications as well as other uses for the invention willoccur to those skilled in the art. While the form of the embodiment ofthe invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is tobe understood that other forms might be adopted as may come within thescope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a headlamp, the combination of a lighting unit comprising areflector, lens and light source within the reflector, a mountingtherefor having a spherical surface extending over said reflector andits center substantially on the reflector axis, a ring overlapping thefront edge of the unit, a support for said lighting unit and saidmounting comprising a cup-shaped member having a rolled brim, connectingmeans attached to the top and one side of said ring, yieldable attachingmeans connected at one end to said support and at the other end to saidring for yieldingly urging the lighting unit and mounting intoengagement with said rolled brim at one side of said ring, and adjustingmeans adjustable from the front of the lighting unit and attached at oneend to said support and at the other end to said connecting means at theside of said ring generally opposite said yieldable attaching means toresist the pressure of said yieldable attaching means and permit aimingof the lighting unit.

2. The combination of a lighting unit comprising a reflector, lens andlight source within the reflector, a mounting therefor having aspherical surface extending over said reflector and its centersubstantially on the reflector axis, a ring overlapping the front edgeof the unit, a support for said lighting unit and said mountingcomprising a cup-shaped member having a rolled brim, connecting meansattached to the top and inside surface of said ring, yieldable attachingmeans connected at one end to said support and at the other end to saidring for yieldingly urging the lighting unit and mounting intoengagement with said rolled brim at one side of said ring, and adjustingmeans attached at one end to said support and at the other end to saidconnecting means at the side of said ring generally opposite saidyieldable attaching means to resist the pressure of said yieldableattaching means and permit aiming of the lighting unit, said mountingbeing retained in said ring to form a lighting unit subassembly by theportion of said connecting means secured to said ring.

3. The combination of a lighting unit comprising a reflector, lens andlight source within the reflector, a mounting therefor having aspherical surface extending over said reflector with its centersubstantially on the reflector axis, a ring overlapping the front edgeof the unit, a support for said lighting unit and said mountingcomprising a cup-shaped member having a rolled brim, connecting meansattached to the top and one side of said ring, supporting means attachedto the inner surface nsaaesa of said ring and extendin radially inwardthereof at a position generally opposite said connecting means, saidmounting being freely supported in said ring by said supporting means toform a loose readily separable subassembly, yieldable attaching meanshaving one end connected to said support and the other end to said ringfor yieldingly urging the lighting unit and mounting into engagementWith said rolled brim at one side of said ring, and adjusting meanshaving one end attached to said support and the other end to saidconnecting means at the side of said ring generally opposite saidyieldable attaching means to resist the pressure of said yieldableattaching means and permit aiming of the lighting unit.

4. The combination of a lighting unit comprising a reflector, lens andlight source within the reflector, a mounting therefor having aspherical surface extending over said reflector with its centersubstantially on the reflector axis, a ring overlapping the front edgeof the unit, a support for said lighting unit and said mountingcomprising a cup-shaped member having a rolled brim surrounded by anannular channel, said ring being formed of a metal strip, a pair of lugsattached to the top and inner surface of said ring, a supporting bracketattached to the inner surface of said ring and extending radially inwardthereof at a position generally opposite said lugs, said mounting beingfreely supported in said ring by said bracket, a spring having one endattached to said support in said annular channel and the other end tosaid ring for yieldingly urging the lighting unit and mounting intoengagement with said rolled brim at one side of said ring and adjustingscrews having one end attached to said support in said annular channeland the other end to said lugs at the side of said ring generallyopposite said spring to resist the pressure of the spring and permitaiming of the lighting unit.

5. The combination of a lighting unit comprising a reflector, lens andlight source within the reflector, a mounting therefor having aspherical surface extending over said reflector with its centersubstantially on the reflector axis, a ring overlapping the front edgeof the unit, a sup port for said lighting unit and said mountingcomprising a cup-shaped member having a rolled brim surrounded by anannular channel, said ring being formed of a metal strip having its endsin abutting relationship and attached to a plate positioned on the innersurface of the ring, a pair of lugs attached to the top and innersurface of said ring, a spring having one end attached to said supportin said annular channel and the other end to said ring for yieldinglyurging the lighting unit and mounting into engagement with said rolledbrim at one side of said ring and adjusting screws having one endattached to said support in said annular channel and the other end tosaid lugs at the side of said ring generally opposite said spring toresist the pressure of the spring and permit aiming of the lightingunit, said mounting being retained in said ring to form a lighting unitsubassembly by the portion of said lugs secured to said ring.

6. In the combination of a lighting unit comprising a reflector, lensand light source Within the reflector, a mounting therefor having aspherical surface extending over said reflector and its centersubstantially on the reflector axis, a flange formed on the rim of saidmounting and extending generally radially outward, a ring overlappingthe front edge of the unit and a support for said lighting unit and saidmounting comprising a cup-shaped member having a rolled brim, theinvention comprising connecting means attached to the top and innersurface of said ring, yieldable attaching means having one end connectedto said support and the other end to said ring for yieldingly urging thelighting unit and mounting into engagement with said rolled brim at oneside of said ring, and adjusting means having one end attached to saidsupport and the other end to said connecting means at the side of saidring generally opposite said yieldable attaching means to resist thepressure of said yieldable 6 attaching means and permit aiming ofthelighting unit, the diameter of said flange being substantially thatof the inside diameter of said ring, said mounting being freely retainedwithin said ring by the end of said connecting means attached to saidring to form a lighting unit subassembly.

7. In the combination of a lighting unit comprising a reflector, lensand light source within the reflector, a mounting therefor having aspherical surface extending over said reflector and its centersubstantially on the reflector axis, a ring overlappingthe front edge ofthe unit and a support for said lighting unit and said mountingcomprising a cup-shaped member having a rolled brim, the inventioncomprising connecting means attached to the top and inner surface ofsaid ring, locating means on said ring co-acting with said mounting toenable their correct assembly, yieldable attaching means having one endconnected to saidsupport and the other end to said ring for yieldinglyurging the lighting unit and mounting into engagement with said rolledbrim at one side of said ring, and adjusting means having one endattached to said support and the other end to said connecting means atthe side of said ring generally opposite said yieldable attaching meansto resist the pressure of said yieldable attaching means and permitaiming of the lighting unit, said mounting being retained in said ringby said connecting means to form a lighting unit subassembly.

8. In the combination of a lighting unit comprising a reflector, lensand light source within the reflector, a mounting therefor having aspherical surface extending over said reflector with its centersubstantially on the reflector axis, a ring overlapping the front edgeof the unit and a support for said lighting unit and said mountingcomprising a cup-shaped member having a rolled brim, the inventioncomprising connecting means attached to the top and one side of saidring, supporting means attached to the inner surface of said ringextending substantially radially inward thereof at a position generallyopposite said connecting means and having a forward extending portionprojecting into an aperture formed in said mounting, said mounting beingfreely retained in said ring and being oriented with respect thereto bysaid supporting means, yieldable attaching means having one endconnected to said support and the other end to said ring for yieldinglyurging the lighting unit and mounting into engagement with said rolledbrim at one side of said ring, and adjusting means having one endattached to said support and the other end to said connecting means atthe side of said ring generally opposite said yieldable attaching meansto resist the pressure 0f said yieldable attaching means and permitaiming of the lighting unit.

9. In the combination of a lighting unit comprising a reflector, lensand light source within the reflector, a mounting therefor having aspherical surface extending over said reflector with its centersubstantially on the reflector axis, a ring overlapping the front edgeof the unit and a support for said lighting unit and said mountingcomprising a cup-shaped member having a rolled brim surrounded by anannular channel, the invention comprising said ring being formed of ametal strip, a pair of lugs attached to the top and inner surface ofsaid ring, a supporting bracket attached to the inner surface of saidring at a position generally opposite said lugs and having a locatingtang projecting into an aperture formed in said mounting, said mountingbeing freery supported in said ring by said bracket and said lugs, aspring having one end attached tosaid support in said annular channeland the other end to said ring for yieldingly urging the lighting unitand mounting into engagement with said rolled brim at one side of saidring and adjusting screws having one end attached to said support insaid annular channel and the other end to said lugs at the side of saidring generally opposite said spring to resist the pressure of the springand permit aiming of the lighting unit.

10. In the combination of a lighting unit for a headlamp comprising areflector, lens and light source within the reflector, a mountingtherefor having a spherical surface extending 'over said reflector Withits center substantially on the reflector axis, a flange formed on saidmounting, a ring overlapping the front edge of the unit and a supportfor said lighting unit and said mounting comprising a cup-shaped memberhaving a rolled brim surrounded by an annular channel, the inventioncomprising said ring being formed of a metal strip having its ends inabutting relationship and attached to a plate positioned on the innersurface of the ring, a pair of lugs attached to the top and innersurface of said ring, a supporting bracket attached to the inner surfaceof said ring at a position generally opposite said lugs, and having alocating tang projecting into an aperture formed in said flange, saidmounting being freely supported in said ring by said bracket and saidlugs to form a lighting unit subassembly, a spring having one endattached to said support in said annular channel and the other end tosaid ring for yieldingly urging the lighting unit and mounting intoengagement With said rolled brim at one side of said ring and adjustingscrews having one end attached to said support in said annular channeland the other end to said lugs at the side of said ring generallyopposite said spring to resist the pressure of the spring and permitaiming of the lighting unit, the diameter of said flange beingsubstantially that of the inside diameter of said ring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,308,012 Godley June 24, 1919 1,859,673 Michel May 24, 1932 2,246,808McKechnie June 24, 1941 2,266,329 Mead et a1. Dec. 16, 1941 FOREIGNPATENTS 663,913 Germany Aug. 16, 1938

